Poisoning Prevention

This page has been automatically translated from English. MSDH has not reviewed this translation and is not responsible for any inaccuracies.

More than 90% of child and adult poisonings occur in the home.

You can avoid accidental poisonings by safely storing the dangerous substances in your home.

Protecting Children

If Poisoning Happens

If you think someone in your house has accidentally consumed a hazardous chemical or drug, you should:

Call 1-800-222-1222 if the victim is awake and alert.

Call 911 if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing.

Be ready to provide as much of the following information as you can:

the victim’s age and weight

the container or bottle of the poison if available

the time of the poison exposure

the address where the poisoning occurred

Stay on the phone and follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center.

The most common causes of poisoning among young children are:

cosmetics and personal care products

household cleaning products

pain relievers

Protect children by taking sensible precautions:

Be prepared: Put the poison help center number, 1-800-222-1222, near every telephone and save it on your cell phone. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Store all medicines and household products out of reach and out of sight of children. Don't put your next dose on a surface where children can reach it – it only takes seconds for a child to take it.

Read labels to find the correct dosage for medicines, and to learn about possible drug interactions. Obey the instructions for safe use on chemical container labels.

Don’t keep it if you don’t need it. Safely dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs and over the counter drugs, vitamins and supplements. To dispose of medicines, mix them with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw them away. You can also turn them in at a local take-back program or during National Drug Take-Back events.

Be aware of lead hazards: A major source of lead poisoning among U.S. children is lead-based paint. All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead in the paint, and it becomes dangerous when it is flaking or peeling. Other sources of lead around the home may include traditional home remedies, ceramics, metal toys and toy jewelry, lead-contaminated soil, and water pipes. Find out more »